Invasive aquatic species threaten the health of Steuben County’s lakes by crowding out native plants and changing the food web. In addition, pests that kill vegetation (such as ash and hemlock trees) and terrestrial invasive species can alter plant cover in ways that result in more pollutants washing into waterbodies. The Finger Lakes PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) works to reduce the introduction, spread, and impact of invasive species throughout our region.

Hydrilla is an aggressive aquatic weed that has been described as “one of the world’s worst aquatic invasive plants.” It was detected in the Cayuga Lake Inlet in Ithaca in 2011. The risk of hydrilla spreading to other waterbodies in the region is considered to be substantial.

In recent years harmful algal blooms (HABs) have become increasingly common. Although most algae are harmless, some species of algae produce toxins that can make people and animals sick.